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Sunday, 21 August 2016

ALBUM REVIEW: Hexxus - "Tunguska"

By: Eric Crowe

Album Type: Full
Length

Date Released: 18/062016

Label: Doomsayer
Records

Hexxus brings something different from the word go, desolation lays
in their wake, pain and fear tremble before their sheer levels of decibel
destruction.

“Tunguska” CD//DD track listing:

1.
Andromeda (10:06)

2.
The Great Migration (5:57)

3.
Cross Bearer (6:49)

4.
Extinct is Instinct (4:11)

5.
Tunguska (11:40)

The Review:

The
Southern region of the US has been spawning a great deal of talent over the
last few years, whether it has gained the proper recognition or not, it still
grows and it continues to thrive. There is more to the South than the goings on
in NOLA. North and South Carolina, Florida,
Georgia has had plenty to offer in the ways of amazingly talented bands, and
Alabama is no different. It is the home of Hexxus, one of the most
oppressively heavy bands to ever surface from the scene, and they are rising
fast.

Though
a Southern band, you won’t find any of that Southern groove so many bands
reflect from around here. Hexxus brings something
different from the word go, desolation lays in their wake, pain and fear
tremble before their sheer levels of decibel destruction. All tracks bring
different elements but all tie in to an astounding release, from beginning to
end, it’s a relentless ride of beauty and fierce inner horror.

“Andromeda” begins
with such a weighty, oppressive tone and riff, setting the mood for the rest of
the album perfectly. Lyrics are abstract, which I love personally, but deal
with a personal loss of a close friend in a fire. This knowledge only elevates
the dread in the music. Vocals are punishing and all three members claim their
range, of highs, mids and lower range growls, but come together with great
ease.

“The Great Migration”
kicks in with a heavier punch and more of a drive with greatly placed wonky
leads. Slowing down, it drives everything to a deeper level and the tag-team
vocals keep a lot of fluidity and movement within the song. “Cross Bearer” continues with the mid
paced onslaught with powerful chugs and weird chord phrasings, they only add
value and depth to the songs, and they don’t feel odd for the sake of being
odd. “Extinct is Instinct” is easily
one of the more up-paced tracks but still a healthy dose of caustic sludge, and
even a metal solo that blares from out of nowhere! Now the final and also title
track “Tunguska” is the perfect end
song, blending a dark melodic beauty and powerful burdensome weight of some of
the most perfect riffs. The end riff will kill you and carry your cold
heartless carcass away into the unknown.

Though
new to the scene, they are making a huge racket and gaining momentum month by
month. They are raising the bar here in the South and setting a new standard.
Good, we needed that.

Band Submissions

To those bands who have recently issued their first demo or album via bandcamp and would like to be featured on our 666 Pack Review or considered for a full review or stream please contact Aaron via email including your EPK, band bio, album file or download code, including artwork.

To those bands issuing their sophomore record and so on and would like to be considered for a review or stream on the blog. Get in touch using the same address above

We will consider bands from any genre but exclusively stoner, sludge, doom, psych, post-metal, experimental, black-metal etc. (Whilst I would like to respond to every email, this is not always possible.) Thanks